Analysis of the Streptococcus dysgalactiae transcriptome upon competence induction

Streptococcus dysgalactiae is increasingly recognized for its role in infections affecting both humans and animals. Understanding the genetic basis of its pathogenesis and adaptability is crucial for developing effective strategies to combat infections caused by this bacterium. Functional studies of genes in S. dysgalactiae and other pyogenic group streptococci are often hampered by limited genetic tractability. The phenomenon of natural transformation, a process in which bacteria take up exogenous DNA and incorporate it into their genome by homologous recombination, is well documented and utilized for gene modifications in other Streptococcus species. However, there is limited evidence for natural transformation in S. dysgalactiae and other pyogenic group streptococci. To address this gap, we employed RNA-seq to examine the expression of competence genes known to be required for natural transformation upon addition of the competence inducing peptide XIP in both subspecies of S. dysgalactiae: subsp. equisimilis and subsp. dysgalactiae.停乳链球菌（Streptococcus dysgalactiae）在引发人类与动物感染中的致病作用日益受到学界关注。阐明其致病机制与环境适应性的遗传基础，对制定针对该病原菌感染的有效防控策略至关重要。然而，针对停乳链球菌及其他化脓性群链球菌的基因功能研究，常受限于有限的遗传可操作性。自然转化是指细菌摄取外源DNA并通过同源重组将其整合至自身基因组的过程，这一现象已在其他链球菌物种中得到充分记录，并被广泛应用于基因改造操作。但目前关于停乳链球菌及其他化脓性群链球菌发生自然转化的相关证据仍十分匮乏。为填补这一研究空白，本研究采用RNA测序（RNA-seq）技术，在停乳链球菌的两个亚种——马亚种（subsp. equisimilis）与停乳亚种（subsp. dysgalactiae）中，检测了添加感受态诱导肽XIP后，已知参与自然转化的感受态基因的表达情况。